Top 10 reasons to buy a PS4

The PlayStation 4 launched on Friday, November 15, 2013 in North America and November 29 across Europe and South America.

Within the first 24 hours, Sony sold over a million consoles. The sales have been impressive, and so has the PlayStation 4 hype.

However, a question remains for those who have yet to take the plunge. It is worth it to buy the PS4? All signs point to yes! But what are the best reasons to buy a PS4?

The best reason to buy a PS4

Out of the newest consoles, the Xbox One and PS4, the PS4 gives you more for your money. Considering the consoles are now priced the same, Sony still offers more out of the box with the PS4 than Microsoft could with the Xbox One.

Inside, the PS4 has a better CPU, a more powerful GPU, and better RAM. It’s also common knowledge that for $100 less, you get a more powerful system that outputs some multiplatform games at better resolutions.

For a lot of people looking to buy a new gaming console, the better performance for the money is a big reason to buy a PS4 over an Xbox One.

With all the praise and hype surrounding the PlayStation 4, it’s hard to justify paying for the Xbox One when it is considered a less powerful video game console. Most people are choosing only one console this generation due to financial reasons. Paying for something that plays games better is a strong selling point.

Better social features and apps

At the heart of the social media features for the PlayStation 4 is the share button. It is a small button located on each controller that allows the sharing of gameplay and screenshots across different social media platforms. Players can share media on the PlayStation Network, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch, and Ustream. In addition to sharing, there are chat features and users can log into their favorite social media profiles to see what their friends are doing. Take your PS4 on the go in your home by using your smartphone or PS Vita as a second screen– for apps and during some gameplay.

This is a huge differentiator between the PS3 and the PS4. Twitch itself has quickly become the killer application for the PS4 literally overnight. As gamers are realizing that they can simply do more with the PS4 like sharing content and Remote Play, reasons to buy the PS4 now have never been clearer.

Excellent gameplay

It’s hard to argue which console has superior gameplay when the PS4 is running true 1080p resolution at 30fps or 60fps. Games like Final Fantasy 14 Online, Battlefield 4, Resogun, and DC Universe Online simply look and play great on the PlayStation 4. With the Xbox One, you’re not quite sure what to expect when it comes to resolution and frame rates. Even though Microsoft freed up GPU performance for developers, there’s still the thought that developers haven’t even begun to unlock the potential for the PS4.

Speaking of developing for the PlayStation 4, there are many new upcoming PS4 games in the works for 2014 and beyond that you need to see! It seems that this generation, multiplatform games will be taking advantage of the PS4’s extra horsepower. The days of multiplatform games running better on the Xbox 360 compared to the PS3 are over.

Superior specs compared to other systems

It’s no doubt that the eight core x86-64 AMD Jaguar CPU is impressive for a video game console. The PS4 also has 8GB of GDDR5 RAM, a 1.83 TFLOP Radeon GPU, and a 500GB hard drive. It is built more like a PC for a reason: better graphics and better processing. Developers suggest that the memory reader and Arithmetic Logic Unit are almost 50% faster than that of the Xbox One. The PS4 also has an upgradable hard drive, where the Xbox One lacks this feature.

Even though it’s early in the lifecycle, the PS4 is very impressive already. Games look gorgeous and the PlayStation 4’s increased power won’t be tapped into for a couple of years according to Mark Cerny. Basically this means that you haven’t seen anything yet! Wait till the new Uncharted debuts and you’ll have your reason to buy a PS4 right there.

Less buggy at launch

On launch day, everyone heard about the bugs that the media reported. Most of those who were able to snag a PS4 were worried about the machine being bricked right out of the box, but in most cases that did not happen. Out of all the initial sales, only an estimate 0.4% of all consoles had issues. This is a very small number of the over a million PS4’s that were sold. Regardless of the media frenzy, compared to other launches in the past, this is one of the least buggy.

Indie publishing

Sony’s dedication to the indie developers makes the PS4 a solid first choice for the next generation of consoles. They make it very easy to self-publish games on their system. This has resulted in a lot of great titles, like Unfinished Swan for the PS3. Because the larger games are slow to release for the new consoles, having a stream of indie titles to choose from will come in handy and keep players busy.

If you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber, then you’ll get to experience the greatness that is the indie game Resogun. The majority of people who’ve played Resogun agree that it is one of the best PS4 launch titles and it’s FREE for PS Plus members! The game runs at 1080p/60fps and is highly addictive. It’s one of those games that you can’t help but play every time you turn on your PS4.

Good launch titles

Initially the launch titles were touted as just okay games. The older generation console versions may have just been okay, but the new generation titles were extremely impressive. For example, Call of Duty: Ghosts may not have looked like anything special on the PS3 or Xbox 360, but when played on the PS4 with true 1080p resolution, only one word could describe it– amazing. The controls are incredibly responsive and the 60fps really keeps you right in the action without lag. Even the revamped PlayStation Network games look great, something other systems lack at this point.

Then there is Battlefield 4 . The multiplayer is absolutely insane. The game looks incredible and it runs so smooth with 64 players that you have to wonder how Dice did it. When you thought it couldn’t get any better there is NBA 2K14. Ho..Ly..Spit. Yes, spit as in drool, as in dribble. As in what you’ll be doing both on screen with your player and off screen with your mouth when you see this game.

Exclusive Destiny content for PS4

Microsoft bet on Titanfall and Sony bet on Destiny. As it turns out, Destiny was the better horse to bet on. Without a doubt, Destiny will be one of the most popular games for the PS4. And the fact that PS4 owners will be getting a lot of exclusive content for a year is huge. Content like exclusive armor, weapons, multiplayer maps, and an exclusive Strike.

If Destiny turns out to be the massive hit we all think it will be, this will definitely play in Sony’s favor. Why buy Destiny on the Xbox One when you can get the same game with more content on the PlayStation 4?

The DualShock 4 is perfect

The new DualShock 4 controller is one of the most advanced game controllers out there. It has an overall better design than the previous version, boasts a touchpad and a built in speaker. Not only does the controller vibrate but also some in-game sounds will come out of it. Like the DualShock 3, there is a MicroUSB port for charging and a headset jack. Another notable feature is the share button, the heart of the PS4’s social media feature.

The DualShock 4 has quickly become the better controller. It’s that good. No, it’s great. It’s actually better than great. It makes you ashamed that you even played with the DualShock 3 for all these years. When you have the DualShock 4 in your hands, you feel at peace with the universe.

Slick design

Coming from the same company that made the slick PS Vita it is not surprising that Sony’s next-gen console would be just as slick, if not better looking. The system is built for gaming, but also so much more. It is multi-purpose and confident, something that has lacked from game systems. As with past generations, the PS4 can lay flat or be placed on its side when you play games. Pair it with all the other Sony accessories, like the PS4 Eye to get the best gaming experience with a piece of hardware that looks good sitting on the entertainment center.

Great PS4 bundles

Here’s a bonus reason to buy a PlayStation 4. For the holidays, you can expect a variety of different PS4 bundles. Many stores give the option to pair the PlayStation 4 with a game or two, while others include accessories. Some bundles have a game and an extra controller. Others have the PlayStation Camera included.

No matter what players need out of the new PlayStation 4, they can most likely find it all in a bundle.

Players can choose to wait or just go out and buy the console now. Regardless of the choice, the purchase is well worth it and you will not be disappointed. The improved graphics and gameplay alone are worth the money spent. Almost every type of gamer will find at least one feature that excites them. All of the great features packed into this one little machine also add to the excitement of owning one. There are many reasons to buy a PS4. The only question is why did you wait?

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